University of British Columbia Scholarships 2027 in Canada for International Students

The University of British Columbia (UBC) Scholarships 2027 offer international students an opportunity to pursue graduate studies at one of Canada’s leading universities. Located in Vancouver and Kelowna, UBC provides a range of funding opportunities for master’s and doctoral students, including fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and tuition awards.

Funding depends on the degree, academic department, research area, and the applicant’s eligibility. UBC also has a minimum funding policy for eligible full-time PhD students at its Vancouver campus, which provides a funding package of at least CAD $40,000 per year for the first four years, effective September 2026.

However, this funding guarantee does not apply to all master’s students. Applicants should check the funding details for their intended graduate program before applying.

University of British Columbia Scholarships 2027: Overview

About the University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It has two main campuses: the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus in Kelowna.

UBC offers graduate programs in areas such as engineering, business, education, health sciences, environmental studies, computer science, social sciences, and the humanities.

For international students, studying at UBC can provide access to research facilities, academic supervision, and opportunities to work with researchers in their chosen fields. The university also offers different funding options to help eligible graduate students meet tuition and living costs.

Official website: https://www.ubc.ca/

Types of UBC Scholarships and Graduate Funding

UBC does not offer one universal scholarship that automatically covers every international master’s student’s tuition and living expenses. Instead, students may qualify for different forms of financial support.

1. PhD minimum funding package

UBC’s Vancouver campus has a minimum funding policy for full-time PhD students.

Effective September 2026, eligible PhD students must receive a funding package of at least CAD $40,000 per year for each of the first four years of their program. The policy applies to domestic and international students who meet its conditions.

The package may combine different sources, including:

• Internal and external scholarships
• Research assistantships
• Teaching-related work
• Graduate academic assistantships

The funding package is not necessarily a single scholarship payment. It may include funding connected to employment or research responsibilities, and the composition can vary between students.

This policy applies to eligible PhD students at the Vancouver campus. It should not be treated as a guaranteed funding package for master’s students or for every UBC campus and program.

Official details: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/minimum-funding-policy-phd-students

2. Master’s scholarships and fellowships

Master’s students may be considered for fellowships, departmental awards, research funding, and other scholarships.

Availability and award amounts depend on the graduate program, the student’s academic record, research area, and the specific award rules. Some awards require a separate application, while others may be considered during the admission process.

Applicants should review the funding section on their intended program’s official UBC page and ask the department whether international students are eligible.

3. International Tuition Award

UBC offers an International Tuition Award for eligible international graduate students enrolled full-time in participating research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs at the Vancouver campus.

The award can provide up to CAD $3,200 per year, depending on the eligible program and applicable conditions. It helps with tuition costs but does not, by itself, mean that all tuition and living expenses are covered.

Students should check the current eligibility rules and award details before relying on this funding.

Official details: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/international-tuition-award

4. Research and teaching assistantships

Some graduate students receive funding through research or teaching assistantships.

Research assistants may help faculty members with research projects, while teaching assistants may support courses, tutorials, laboratories, or other academic activities. These positions may provide income and relevant academic experience.

Availability depends on the department, supervisor, research project, and the student’s qualifications. Applicants should confirm the terms, workload, and duration of any assistantship with the department.

Benefits of UBC Graduate Scholarships

The benefits depend on the funding package or award a student receives. Possible forms of support include:

• Tuition assistance: Certain awards help reduce eligible tuition costs.
• Living support: Fellowships and assistantships may contribute to living expenses.
• Research opportunities: Funded graduate students may participate in academic research.
• Teaching experience: Eligible assistantships can provide experience supporting university courses.
• Academic development: Students can work with faculty members and develop specialist knowledge.
• Funding continuity: Some funding arrangements cover multiple years, subject to the award’s terms and continued eligibility.

Important: Not every UBC scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, travel, and personal expenses. Read the official terms of each award and your admission offer to understand what is actually included.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on the selected graduate program and funding opportunity. Applicants should generally be prepared to meet the following requirements.

Academic qualifications

Applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for their chosen master’s or PhD program. These may include a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s admission or a suitable previous graduate qualification for doctoral admission, depending on the program.

UBC programs may also assess grades, research experience, references, a statement of purpose, and other academic materials.

International student eligibility

International students can apply to many UBC graduate programs and may qualify for specific scholarships and funding opportunities.

However, eligibility differs between awards. Some funding programs are restricted by citizenship, residency, degree level, or research area.

Supervisor or research fit

Some research-based programs expect applicants to identify a potential supervisor or establish a suitable research fit. Other programs manage supervision after admission or use a different process.

Check the department’s instructions before contacting faculty members or submitting an application.

English language proficiency

Applicants must meet the English language requirements of their chosen program unless they qualify for an official exemption.

UBC’s general graduate admissions requirements include accepted English-language tests, but individual programs may require higher scores. Therefore, do not assume that IELTS or another English test is unnecessary.

Official requirements: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/english-language-test

Documents Required

The documents required depend on the graduate program and scholarship. Applicants may need to prepare:

1. Academic transcripts from previous institutions.
2. Degree certificates or proof of graduation, where required.
3. A current CV or résumé.
4. A statement of purpose or statement of intent.
5. Letters of recommendation.
6. A research proposal or research statement, if required.
7. Proof of English-language proficiency, if applicable.
8. A portfolio, writing sample, or other program-specific materials, where required.
9. Additional documents requested by the department or funding program.

Some programs have specific requirements for references, document formats, translations, or submission methods. Follow the official instructions for your chosen degree.

How to Apply for University of British Columbia Scholarships 2027

Follow these steps to apply for graduate admission and explore available funding.

Step 1: Choose a graduate program

Visit the official UBC graduate program directory and identify a master’s or PhD program that matches your academic background and goals.

Graduate program directory: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs

Review the admission requirements, research areas, funding information, and application deadlines before proceeding.

Step 2: Check scholarship and funding opportunities

Look for scholarships, fellowships, tuition awards, and assistantships available to students in your chosen program.

Start with UBC’s official award database:

https://www.grad.ubc.ca/scholarships-awards-funding/award-opportunities

Check whether the award requires a separate application, departmental nomination, or admission to a specific program.

Step 3: Contact a potential supervisor if required

For research-based programs, review faculty profiles and identify researchers whose work aligns with your interests.

If the department requires applicants to contact a supervisor, send a concise professional email explaining your research interests and academic background. Include your CV and other relevant information when appropriate.

Do not assume that every UBC graduate program requires supervisor approval before applying.

Step 4: Prepare your application documents

Gather transcripts, degree certificates, references, your CV, and any required statement or research proposal.

Arrange English-language test results if required. Allow enough time for official documents and test scores to reach the university.

Step 5: Submit the graduate application

Apply through the official UBC application process for your selected program. Pay any applicable application fee and submit all required documents before the relevant deadline.

Official application information: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission

Step 6: Complete any separate scholarship applications

Some funding opportunities require a separate application or additional documents. Others may consider applicants automatically or through departmental nomination.

Follow the instructions for each award rather than assuming that a graduate admission application automatically enters you for every scholarship.

Step 7: Review your admission and funding offer

If you receive an offer, read the funding details carefully. Confirm the award value, duration, conditions, tuition coverage, work expectations, and whether the funding is renewable.

International students should also review the official Canadian study permit requirements and apply in time for their intended start date.

Application Deadline

There is no single application deadline for all UBC graduate scholarships for 2027. Graduate admission deadlines vary by program, intake, and funding opportunity.

Some scholarships have separate deadlines that may fall earlier than the program’s admission deadline. For this reason, applicants should check both the degree program page and the relevant award page.

Start here:

• UBC graduate deadlines: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/deadlines
• UBC graduate awards: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/scholarships-awards-funding/award-opportunities
• Graduate program directory: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs

Do not rely on general dates published for undergraduate admissions, as they may not apply to master’s and PhD applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are University of British Columbia scholarships available for international students?

Yes. International students can apply for many UBC graduate programs and may qualify for selected scholarships, fellowships, tuition awards, and assistantships. Eligibility depends on the specific funding opportunity.

2. Is the UBC scholarship fully funded?

Some funding packages may provide substantial financial support, but not every scholarship covers all tuition and living expenses. The minimum funding policy applies to eligible full-time PhD students at UBC’s Vancouver campus; it is not a universal guarantee for master’s students.

3. Can master’s students receive CAD $40,000 per year?

The CAD $40,000 minimum funding policy described by UBC applies to eligible full-time PhD students at the Vancouver campus for their first four years, effective September 2026. It should not be advertised as a standard master’s scholarship amount.

4. Is IELTS required for UBC graduate admission?

English-language requirements depend on the program and whether an applicant qualifies for an exemption. UBC lists accepted English tests and minimum requirements, and some programs require higher scores. Check the official rules for your chosen program.

5. Can students from any country apply?

International students from many countries can apply to UBC graduate programs. However, individual scholarships may have citizenship, residency, degree-level, or other eligibility restrictions.

6. What is the deadline for UBC Scholarships 2027?

Deadlines vary by program and award. Applicants should check the official graduate program page and scholarship listing for the relevant intake.

7. Do I need to contact a professor before applying?

This depends on the graduate program. Some research-based programs expect applicants to identify or contact a potential supervisor, while others use different procedures. Follow the department’s official instructions.

8. Where can I apply for UBC scholarships?

Begin by selecting a graduate program through UBC’s official website. Then review the relevant funding opportunities and follow the admission and scholarship instructions provided by the university.

Final Thoughts

The University of British Columbia offers a range of funding opportunities for international students pursuing master’s and doctoral studies in Canada. These include scholarships, fellowships, tuition awards, and research or teaching assistantships.

The most important step is to identify a suitable graduate program and confirm which funding options are available to its students. Applicants considering a PhD should review UBC’s minimum funding policy, while master’s applicants should investigate department-specific awards and tuition support.

Always confirm eligibility, funding amounts, and deadlines on UBC’s official website before applying.

Official starting points:

• UBC main website: https://www.ubc.ca/
• Graduate programs: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs
• Graduate awards and funding: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/scholarships-awards-funding/award-opportunities
• Graduate admission requirements: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission